Definitions of Abnormality

Definitions of Abnormality

• Definitions of abnormality include statistical infrequency and deviation from social norms.

Statistical Infrequency

• Something is considered 'normal' or 'abnormal' depending on how often it is encountered.
• Unusual behaviour is considered abnormal based on a statistical definition.
• The statistical infrequency approach is helpful when dealing with characteristics that can be reliably measured.
• Intelligence is an example of a characteristic that can be reliably measured.
• Most people's scores will cluster around the average in a normal distribution.
• The further a score is above or below the average, the fewer people are found with that score.
• The average IQ is set at 100.
• 68% of people range from 85 to 115 IQ points.
• Only 2% have a score lower than 70, and are likely to receive a diagnosis of Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD).

Strengths of Statistical Infrequency

• It is useful in clinical practice to diagnose and assess the severity of symptoms.
• IDD is diagnosed if IQ is below 70.
• The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is used to assess the severity of depression.
• A low IQ benefits individuals, who require support and are diagnosed with IDD.
• A high BDI also benefits individuals, who are likely to require therapy.

Limitations of Statistical Infrequency

• Can be positive as well as negative, depending on context.
• A low IQ is often viewed as abnormal, but those with a high IQ aren't.
• A high depression score is viewed as abnormal, a low depression score isn't.
• Being unusual alone does not qualify as being abnormal.
• It is not a sufficient sole basis for defining abnormality.
• Not all people benefit from labels.
• Social stigmas are often attached to labels.

Deviation from Social Norms

• Most people notice when behavior deviates from the social norm.
• Groups of people notice abnormal behaviour based on whether it offends their sense of what is 'normal'.
• These judgements are collectivist.
• Every culture and generation have different social norms.
• There are very few behaviors that are universally abnormal.
• Homosexuality was considered abnormal in British culture in the past.
• Homosexuality is still viewed as abnormal and illegal in some cultures, and punishable by death.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder is also known as psychopathy.
• People with the disorder are impulsive, aggressive, and irresponsible.
• They lack prosocial internal standards and fail to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behavior.
• Psychopaths are abnormal because they do not conform to moral standards.
• Psychopathy is considered abnormal in many cultures.

Strengths of Deviation from Social Norms

• It is useful in clinical practice.
• A key feature of psychopathy is the individual's failure to conform to culturally acceptable behavior.
• Deviation from social norms is also used to diagnose schizotypal personality disorder.

Limitations of Deviation from Social Norms

• Variability exists in norms across cultures and situations.
• One culture may label someone from a different culture as 'abnormal' using their own cultural standards.
• Hearing voices can be normal in some cultures, but will be labelled as abnormal in other cultures like the UK.
• Aggression and deceitfulness are deemed socially unacceptable.
• The skills are more acceptable in corporate deal-making.
• It is difficult to judge deviation across cultures and situations.
• Deviation carries the risk of unfair labelling.
• This concept is open to human rights abuse.
• Labelling women with high sex drives as nymphomaniacs is unfair.
• Those characterised by eccentric behaviour, superstition, or belief in the supernatural may have schizotypal personality disorder.
• Those may also hallucinate, which deviates from the social norm.
• Schizotypal personality disorder is often found in families where relatives have been diagnosed.